Brief Introduction of the Dzogchen Buddha Path Lineage, System, Organization, and Sangha Community.
I. The Glorious Lineage and System of the Dzogchen Buddha Path
The Dzogchen Lineage is a living Dharma system that has been authentically preserved and has prevailed for nearly three thousand years. This tradition is an unbroken, comprehensive, uncontaminated and inclusive lineage, rooted in the original teachings of our Supreme Guide Buddha Shakyamuni, who was born in 960 BCE and transmitted through hundreds of generations of Dzogchen Lineage Masters to our present kind and beneficent Holy Vajra Master. The Tibetan term Dzogchen, known in Sanskrit as Mahāsandhi, meaning “Great Perfection” in English, flawlessly encompasses the entirety of Buddha Shakyamuni’s teachings, preserving their vast and profound essence in their most complete and direct form.
Throughout history, all qualified Buddhist lineages, traditions, and organizations have upheld the authentic teachings and practices of Buddhism, while carrying their own unique sacred names.
In this same manner, the sacred name of our Dzogchen lineage, tradition, and organization is formally recognized as the Dzogchen Buddha Path, because our organization and Sangha wisely and skillfully follow the Enlightened Path of our Supreme Guide, Buddha Shakyamuni according to the Dzogchen Lineage. The Dzogchen Buddha Path ® is an officially registered trademark with all rights reserved.
Moreover, while each regional and local organization retains its own unique related name, all Dzogchen Buddha Path organizations and Sangha adhere to the authentic teachings and practices of this sacred Dzogchen Lineage. Therefore, we are collectively renowned as the Dzogchen Buddha Path lineage, tradition, organization, Sangha, and so forth.
The Dzogchen Buddha Path is not a new religion, lineage, tradition, or culture. It is the ancient, unbroken, and authentic Buddhist religion as originally founded by Lord Buddha.
In the Dzogchen Buddha Path, the lineage, tradition, and systems for teaching and learning, training and contemplation, and meditation and practice—encompassing both the Transmission and Actualization Dharma principles of the Sutras, Tantras, and Dzogchen—remain exactly 100% as pure and authentic as they were during the time when Lord Buddha himself was living in this world.
In the Dzogchen Lineage, there is a strict and unwavering guideline system that prohibits adding or removing even a single principle, idea, or syllable to the authentic teachings of Buddha. Therefore, no changes, alterations, or fabrications of any kind can be made to the authentic teachings of Buddha.
In this way, throughout the generations, our sacred Dzogchen Lineage masters and disciples have heroically preserved, protected, promulgated, and upheld this authentic Dharma lineage at all costs. Likewise, we too vow to preserve, protect, promulgate, and uphold this sacred lineage throughout this world and all universes for all time.
The Origins of the Dzogchen Buddha Path Lineage
The vast and profound teachings of our Supreme Guide, Buddha Shakyamuni, are a unique and extraordinary gift to our world. The sacred teachings of the Buddha are not a fabricated religion, a blend of spiritual ideas, an imputed philosophy, a contrived theology, a confusing mystery, a concocted cosmology, an invented theory, or a biased ideology. Every single teaching of the Buddha is perfectly aligned with the universal natural system of both relative truth and absolute truth.
Each and every teaching of Buddha reveals the way our minds, phenomena, and the system of the universe work—the natural functioning of our thoughts, our actions, and how our lives unfold.
The Dharma teachings of Buddha clearly show the natural law of happiness and suffering as well as the consequences of our intentions and actions. Without the teachings and guidance of the Buddha, this world would be a much darker and more hopeless place.
The sacred teachings of Buddha are not limited to religious practice—they are living rivers of wisdom that have irrigated the fields of culture, morality, science, art, psychology, governance, activities, and daily life across generations of human society throughout the entire world. There is much evidence that many of the most beneficial philosophies, ideologies, religions, cultures, and activities in this world have been directly or indirectly influenced or blessed by the sacred teachings of our Supreme Guide Buddha Shakyamuni.
The teachings of Buddha show us that, through our body, speech, and mind, we have the ability to generate positive and negative karma. Negative thinking and actions create negative karma, result in the experience of suffering, harm ourselves and others, and even create our own delusional hell realms—keeping us trapped for a long time in the illusory cycles of samsara. Positive thinking and actions create positive karma, result in the experience of happiness, benefit ourselves and others, and create our own pure celestial realms and enlightened pure lands—bringing us to the enlightenment of nirvana and ultimately the realization of Awakened Omniscience, Buddha.
By practicing according to the vast and profound teachings of our Supreme Guide, Buddha Shakyamuni, we can swiftly purify our negative thinking, negative karma, and suffering, and perfect the accumulations of merit and wisdom. In this way, we bring great enlightened benefit to ourselves and others, leading all beings to the ultimate goal of True Happiness.
The Urgent Need to Preserve, Protect, and Transmit the Lineage,
System, and Teachings of the Dzogchen Buddha Path
We carry a historical responsibility—it is vital that we do not allow the teachings and Dharma system of the Buddha to disappear from this world. Therefore, it is essential that we teach, practice, and act to ensure that the sacred Dharma system is never lost for even a short time on this earth and forever remains in this world.
The Dharma system is the cause and condition of happiness and enlightenment, and that which eliminates all causes and conditions of suffering. Therefore, it is a universal treasure for humanity and all beings.
Just as people do not wish to see Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, or Islam disappear, likewise we do not wish to see Buddhism vanish from this world.
The Buddhist Dharma system is meaningful and beneficial for all people, regardless of their faith or culture. It is not only an ancient Dharma treasure—it is a global treasure for all humanity.
Even among non-Buddhists—Hindus, Jews, Christians, Muslims, atheists, and so on—there are many who recognize the value of preserving Buddhist monuments, temples, stupas, statues, tangkas, texts, and historical sites.
These holy objects arise and disappear. They can be rebuilt. But the unbroken lineage tradition of Buddha Shakyamuni’s Dharma system is countless times more precious and irreplaceable than any monument. The Buddhist lineage and system can only live within the hearts of virtuous human beings. If it is completely lost, then it cannot be reestablished or recreated. It would be gone forever.
Fortunately, for nearly 3,000 years—from the time Buddha Shakyamuni first taught the Dharma until now—generations of great masters and devoted disciples have upheld this lineage, system, and its sacred tradition. Today, this living Dharma lineage and system continues through our present Dharma teachers and sincere practitioners, bringing immense benefit, deep peace, and lasting happiness to human society.
Thus, we feel a profound sense of urgency to share the Dzogchen Buddha Path with the world. There is little time left to protect and transmit this excellent lineage and Dharma system to future generations. At present, Buddhism is steadily declining decade by decade and year by year, unlike some other world religions that are growing. Yet through the power of our good intentions, wisdom, and the skillful use of modern technology, we believe it is possible to preserve and transmit this living lineage into the hearts and lives of people in the modern world.
This is not merely a wish or a theory; it is an actual path to realization. Through the Dharma system, there lies incredible potential to create a pure land—a heaven on earth—characterized by social harmony, world peace, and the actualization of all excellent human potentials. It is a timeless and effective method for living a better life, becoming a better person, and benefiting both ourselves and those around us, as it supports our lives and positively transforms us. In this way, the natural instinct—the vital inner calling—to seek true freedom, genuine happiness, real enlightenment, and the end of suffering and misery can swiftly be fulfilled.
II. The Amazing Dzogchen Buddha Path System
The Dzogchen Buddha Path Organization is founded upon one of the most virtuous, beneficial, and ethical systems in history—the Dharma System of Buddha Shakyamuni. As a living and ever-evolving lineage, the Dzogchen Buddha Path remains dynamic, continually adapting to serve all beings by upholding an open and receptive approach, always welcoming sincere suggestions, questions, and constructive critiques regarding our system, organization, and activities, as well as our teachers, leaders, and members—all for the ultimate benefit of beings in this world. Until samsara is emptied and all beings attain Buddha, this sacred system will be continually improved, upgraded, and transformed to address the ever-changing needs of society, while authentically adhering to the timeless teachings and guidance of our Supreme Guide.
In this way, the Dzogchen Buddha Path system is incredibly precious, as it has been strategically designed and customized for modern people to directly benefit from Buddha’s teachings. It ensures that authentic Buddhist principles are easy to understand, easy to remember, easy to practice, and easy to teach to others, all without diluting the true meaning of Dharma. This system uniquely makes Buddhist principles accessible for daily life and easy to share with others, avoiding complex terms or jargon.
To understand its depth and impact, here is a brief overview of the qualities of the Dzogchen Buddha Path lineage and organization:
The Dzogchen Buddha Path is an extraordinary system that transforms individuals and society by addressing the deepest needs of modern life. It offers practical tools to solve problems, manage negative emotions, and overcome challenges, providing effective solutions for personal and collective well-being. The system encompasses diverse missions, projects, and activities that empower individuals to cultivate vital health, profound healing, and inner peace. By integrating a balanced diet, healthy food, shamatha meditation, and Vajra Tantra Yoga, it reduces stress and fear while enhancing resilience. Furthermore, it strengthens relationships through mutual understanding, respect, and support, enriching the foundation for auspicious living.
The Dzogchen Buddha Path applies Buddhist wisdom philosophy to strengthen good governance and excellent leadership. It empowers leaders to make ethical decisions, guide with wisdom, and create policies that promote fairness, sustainability, and social harmony. By ensuring clear communication and skillful negotiation, it helps prevent wars and conflicts, laying the groundwork for lasting peace. Additionally, it drives social stability, economic prosperity, and financial security by nurturing creative thinking and fostering sustainable development.
The system integrates the beauty of art through painting, dancing, singing, and music, promoting creativity, joy, and harmony while nurturing the human spirit. Through teamwork and discipline, it also celebrates healthy sports as a way to invigorate energy, resilience, and unity within communities.
The Dzogchen Buddha Path system and organization conducts and engages in loving community service, compassionate charity, altruistic humanitarianism, virtuous social activities, and generous fundraising to ensure meaningful engagement and collective benefit.
This system actively promotes the establishment of eco-friendly and socially responsible businesses, industries, factories, restaurants, and community centers to develop a sustainable and resilient economy, support a diverse and thriving ecosystem, build a wholesome society, and maintain a clean and healthy environment.
Through applying Dharma principles, the Dzogchen Buddha Path promotes environmental awareness and stewardship by incorporating eco-conscious practices such as renewable energy, green architecture, and responsible resource management. It addresses environmental concerns, advocating for clean energy, ecological protection, and environmentally sound practices to safeguard the planet for future generations. This approach seamlessly integrates spiritual practice with a deep commitment to caring for and preserving the natural beauty of our world.
The system helps produce fully qualified sacred supports such as stupas, statues, thangkas, prayer flags, and tsatsas; as well as medicinal Dharma substances like amrita, rakta, balingta, and torma substances; bumpa and offering substances and various empowerment substances; incense and cleansing substances; various healing substances like blessing massage oil and water, and so forth, ensuring Dharma practitioners have access to authentic holy objects that enhance meditation and practice.
It emphasizes the creation of sacred spaces, including Dharma Mandalas, Dharma centers, retreat centers, temples, and so forth, as well as various universities, education centers, and health centers, to preserve the continuity of the lineage and provide practitioners with conducive and inspiring places for teaching, training, and practice.
The system also supports the creation and maintenance of harmonious communities, building networks of practitioners who work together with compassion, wisdom, and shared purpose. This community system provides practitioners with the support, encouragement, and connection needed to deepen their Dharma practice, create lasting positive impact for generations, and foster social stability and world peace.
It develops human excellence and skills by providing strategic tools for self-mastery, advancing innovation, and enhancing personal and professional growth. The Dzogchen Buddha Path also promotes and cherishes science and technology, advancing creative solutions to contemporary challenges through wisdom and compassion.
This comprehensive system equips individuals to overcome trauma, addiction, substance abuse, and harmful tendencies, replacing them with positive habits and values. It encourages a joyful and fulfilling lifestyle, blending ancient wisdom with scientific insights to create an excellently balanced and beneficial life.
It provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and transforming human behavior, incorporating social science, psychology, and mind science. It acts as a catalyst for social cohesion, offering effective strategies to resolve disputes, prevent harmful practices, and build a society rooted in respect, compassion, love, and wisdom in accord with Buddhist principles. It combats racism, cruelty to humans and animals, and harmful cultural norms while promoting respect for parents, elders, and all beings.
The Dzogchen Buddha Path empowers individuals to lead and manage impactful activities, events, and projects, ensuring their success and bringing meaningful growth. It offers uniquely beneficial teachings, courses, programs, workshops, and education–not only in Buddhist wisdom but also in worldly knowledge and skills.
Spiritual guidance, deep meditation training, and teachings on vipashyana, mindfulness, and mind training are some of the key offerings of the Dzogchen Buddha Path. Sacred Buddhist ceremonies, enriching journeys, educational tours, holy pilgrimages, recitation and walking meditation, transformative retreats, and practical workshops such as mindful activity training ensure that Dharma teachings remain applicable to modern society, while upgrading human life into enlightened life.
The system emphasizes the preservation and propagation of Dharma scriptures, sacred texts, and insightful commentaries to ensure an unbroken transmission of authentic teachings and practice for future generations. By producing and distributing high-quality translations, publications, and digital resources, it provides practitioners with accessible and reliable materials for learning, contemplation, and meditation.
It facilitates the training and development of highly skilled teachers, translators, and lineage holders to safeguard all of Buddha’s sacred teachings. Through rigorous training programs and leadership opportunities, the system ensures that authentic teachings are passed down with clarity, integrity, and precision.
Encouraging the development of innovative solutions, the system integrates ancient wisdom with modern tools, including advancements in digital technology, to spread the teachings globally and engage with diverse audiences. This allows practitioners from all walks of life to benefit from the Dharma and apply its principles in their daily lives.
In short, a core focus of the Dzogchen Buddha Path is teacher and leadership training that equips individuals with the clarity, wisdom, and compassion needed to guide others, fostering the next generation of ethical and effective leaders. It enhances education, provides purpose and meaning in life, and encourages individuals to cherish their roles in building a better global society.
In this way, the Dzogchen Buddha Path System empowers our teachers and leaders, inspires communities, and provides a framework for a society that thrives on cooperation, ethical leadership, and innovation. By guiding individuals and communities toward the enlightened path, it creates the foundation for a non-violent, peaceful, united, and prosperous world and helps all beings ultimately attain True Happiness, Awakened Omniscience, Buddha.
This is just a small fraction of the benefit provided by this lineage, system, and organization. We sincerely invite those who wish to know more to join our programs and learn from our authorized Dzogchen Buddha Path Dharma teachers.
III. The Dzogchen Buddha Path Organization
The Dzogchen Buddha Path Organization is a distinguished international Buddhist community, bringing together thousands of dedicated practitioners from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Adhering to the highest international standards, it upholds the profound values of wisdom, compassion, and service. Our community is a radiant embodiment of social harmony, stability, and ethical living, where individuals unite to learn, contemplate, meditate, and practice the Shravakayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni according to the Dzogchen Lineage.
While maintaining the authenticity of the Dharma lineage, tradition, and system, our unique hallmark is the strategic and skillful integration of virtuous cultures, philosophy, science, and technology into our daily Buddhist practice. This ensures that practitioners not only uphold the vast and profound wisdom of our lineage but also develop the practical knowledge and skills necessary to navigate and benefit humanity and the planet.
Rooted in the authentic traditions of the Dzogchen Sangwa Nyingthig, Dzogchen Khandro Nyingthig, and Dzogchen Longchen Nyingthig, our members follow the guidance of esteemed Dzogchen Lineage Masters—most prominently, our revered Holy Vajra Master
Dzogchen Khenpo Choga Rinpoche—alongside hundreds of authorized Dharma teachers and bodhisattva leaders from around the world.
The Dzogchen Buddha Path Organization is more than just an institution; it embodies a magnificent vision of Buddhism dedicated to serving and uplifting humanity by advancing a beautiful, ethical, and harmonious society. Through promulgating Dharma teachings and practices, transforming practitioners into virtuous teachers and leaders, uniting ancient wisdom with modern knowledge, and cultivating a culture of compassionate service, our organization actively empowers individuals, strengthens communities, and elevates society, creating a profound and lasting impact on the world.
IV. The Goals and Vision of the Dzogchen Buddha Path
Our ultimate goal and vision is to liberate all beings from all suffering and to establish all beings in True Happiness. This aligns with the ultimate truth, Buddha nature, which means that the true nature of each and every being is primordially Buddha.
Our relative goal and vision is nothing less than the transformation of this world into a heaven on earth—an enlightened pure land of True Happiness where all beings are liberated from fear and suffering. We envision a world of harmony and love, where non-violence is the universal standard, disease and hunger are eradicated, and societies thrive in ethical conduct and moral dignity. In this world, every being is cherished and supported, and all people live with profound gratitude, knowing they are surrounded by abundance and mutual care. Communities flourish in unity, businesses succeed ethically, and economies thrive with fairness and sustainability. The environment is pristine, a reflection of the collective respect and responsibility shared by humanity for the planet.
In this enlightened society, education transcends mere intellect, cultivating inner wisdom and compassion to guide future generations. Health and vitality are universal, empowering everyone to live with energy and purpose. Love, compassion, and respect form the foundation of every interaction, as people uplift and inspire one another toward the highest good. Through our unwavering dedication to this goal and vision, we commit to bringing the authentic teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni to the hearts of all beings, fostering a world of peace, joy, and ultimate liberation.
Together, we stand as bodhisattvas, working tirelessly to manifest this vision for the benefit of all.
V. The Mission and Philosophy of the Dzogchen Buddha Path
The mission of our Dzogchen Buddha Path Organizations and lineage is crystal clear: we aim to bring the comprehensive and authentic teachings of our Supreme Guide, the Omniscient Buddha Shakyamuni, to the minds of modern people who are ready to learn and practice.
The stated mission of our organizations is to support the preservation, practice, and transmission of the ancient and unbroken Dzogchen lineage and tradition in the modern world.
Our membership policy is equally clear:
● We believe that all beings are endowed with Buddha-nature, and there is no unsuitable vessel for achieving enlightenment.
● All individuals with auspicious karmic connections are welcome to join the Dzogchen Buddha Path Lineage and organization, without discrimination.
● However, to support religious harmony, we do not seek to convert anyone from other religions or traditions.
VI. Code of Ethical Conduct of the Dzogchen Buddha Path
The Dzogchen Buddha Path organizations and members uphold Buddhist conduct in general, and especially uphold a clear, inclusive, and comprehensive code of ethical conduct:
● Abandon the Ten Nonvirtues:
○ Refrain from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and cheating; divisive speech, harsh speech, and useless speech; stingy covetousness, harmful intentions, and wrong views.
● Adopt the Ten Virtues:
○ Engage in protecting life, practicing generosity, and embodying ethical conduct; speaking truthful words, reconciling words, benevolent words, and meaningful words; cultivating grateful rejoicing, developing altruistic intentions, and maintaining right views.
● Protect Virtuous Vows:
○ Avoid mind-altering drugs and unhealthy lifestyles in order to prevent engaging in the ten nonvirtues and to mindfully engage in the ten virtues.
● Align with Buddhist Principles:
○ Mental actions should align with Buddha Shakyamuni’s teachings.
○ Verbal and physical actions must comply with the laws of one’s country.
○ Members are welcome to adhere to additional external codes of conduct, provided they do not conflict with the core principles of our lineage.
VII. The Fundamental View, Meditation, Conduct, Result, and Activities of the Dzogchen Buddha Path
Our fundamental view is the unity of interdependence and transcendent wisdom — mainly based on the Four Noble Truths — which correctly recognizes suffering and the causes of suffering, happiness and the causes of happiness, and that the nature of every being is Buddha.
Our fundamental meditation is the unity of luminosity and transcendent wisdom — mainly based on the Four Immeasurables — which meditatively focuses on the intention to free all beings from suffering and the causes of suffering—anger, jealousy, greed, pride, and ignorance—and to establish all beings in happiness and the causes of happiness—renunciation, compassion, faith, love, and wisdom.
Our fundamental conduct is the unity of compassion and transcendent wisdom — mainly based on the Four Excellent Qualities of a Dharma Practitioner — which skillfully reacts to harmful emotions, harsh speech, deceptive conduct, and violent actions.
Our fundamental result is the unity of bliss and transcendent wisdom — mainly based on the Four Goals of Dharma Practitioners — which is decreasing negative thinking, negative karma, negative conduct, negative attitudes, negative actions, and suffering; complete freedom from samsara; increasing positive thinking, positive karma, positive conduct, positive attitudes, positive actions, and happiness; and the perfect attainment of nirvana.
Our fundamental activity is the unity of miracles and transcendent wisdom — mainly based on the Ten Dharma Activities — which is writing sacred texts, offering to the Supreme Jewels, generosity to compassionable beings, learning vast knowledge, reading wisdom texts, memorizing Buddhist principles, teaching beneficial knowledge, chanting Dharma mantras, contemplating Dharma view, and meditating on Dharma principles, as well as establishing Dharma centers, education institutions, health and healing centers, teacher training institutions, Dharma retreat centers, temples, universities, and monasteries, as well as science and technology centers, art and yoga centers, innovative research centers, and so on.
In this way we join the activities of all Buddhas, enlightened beings, and Dzogchen Lineage masters.
VIII. Dharma Teacher and Student System of the Dzogchen Buddha Path
In the glorious tradition of authentic Buddhism, having a qualified teacher is essential for the success of Dharma education and practice. Recognizing the need for more qualified Dharma teachers worldwide, our lineage masters and organization systematically train Dharma teachers in accordance with the unbroken Dzogchen Lineage and tradition. Upon meeting the necessary qualifications, these teachers are officially authorized and licensed to teach Dharma within their capacity, ensuring they can effectively guide students and followers according to their karmic connections, needs, and level of readiness.
There are different levels of qualified teachers (and students):
Regarding Dharma Teachers:
Those who are trained, qualified, and authorized to provide teachings and conduct training in the general Buddhist principles of Sutrayana are known as Dharma teachers. Those who receive these teachings and training may be qualified to become Dharma students or even Dharma disciples.
Regarding Dharma Masters:
Those who are trained, qualified, and authorized to provide teachings and conduct training in the advanced Buddhist principles of Mahayana are known as Dharma Masters. Those who receive these teachings and training may be qualified to become Dharma disciples.
Regarding Vajra Masters:
Those who are trained, qualified, and authorized to provide teachings and conduct training in the profound Buddhist principles of Vajrayana are known as Vajra Masters. Those who receive these teachings and training may be qualified to become Vajra disciples.
In Buddhism in general, it is greatly beneficial for each Dharma practitioner to have a qualified Dharma teacher or master to provide personal Dharma guidance on the right path. Particularly in the Vajrayana tradition, it is essential for each disciple to have a personal Vajra Master as their Root Guru who guides and supports their journey toward enlightened liberation and Buddhahood.
Likewise, it is essential for every Buddhist organization to be guided by a presiding Dharma teacher, principal Dharma teacher, Holy Vajra Master, and/or Supreme Vajra Master, or equivalent levels of Dharma teachers according to their tradition. These Dharma leaders uphold the continuum of the sacred Buddhist lineage and tradition and provide direction to the organization and its Sangha members on the path to enlightenment.
In the Dzogchen Buddha Path system, these roles and ranks are not permanent but serve as vital components of the sacred Dharma system established by Buddha Shakyamuni and developed throughout generations of Dharma practitioners. If individuals holding these positions fail to fulfill their responsibilities as Dharma teachers or masters, they will be replaced through a democratic process involving qualified Sangha members and the appropriate organizational committees.
The Vigilant System of Teacher and Student Relationship
Throughout their journey in the Dzogchen Buddha Path Lineage, every student and disciple is taught to thoroughly examine their Dharma teacher, evaluate the Dharma system, test the practice, and remain vigilant in their relationships with Sangha companions, particularly for the first 12 years. Each individual is further guided to critically assess and challenge any beliefs until developing valid certainty that they are trustworthy, suitable, and beneficial to follow.
Our Holy Vajra Master repeatedly reminds us that while virtuous sentient being practitioners can be trusted in general, we must remain aware that Sangha members, as sentient beings, are still susceptible to mistakes. Therefore, each practitioner has a good faith responsibility to safeguard their own ethical integrity, to prevent themselves from becoming corrupted, to encourage others to uphold their virtuous vows, and to proactively address any misunderstandings or wrongdoing between teachers and students as well as the organization and its members, volunteers, and employees.
IX. Essential Guidelines for Sangha Members of the Dzogchen Buddha Path
The Dzogchen Buddha Path system provides excellent guidance for our members and practitioners:
In any situation, Sangha members should refrain from meditating on negative thinking, engaging in negative conduct, or generating negative karma. Avoid sinking into fear, suffering, or a state of misery, even for a single moment.
In every situation, our Sangha members should meditate on positive thinking, practice positive conduct, and generate positive karma. Reside in a peaceful, happy, and joyful state of enlightenment at all times.
The Dzogchen Buddha Path lineage and system teaches members to honor all beings as Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Therefore, Sangha members should never disrespect themselves, others, or even those who oppose or criticize our organization and Sangha. Instead, they should cultivate respect for themselves, others, and even those who exhibit disturbing behavior.
X. Ethical Dharma Principles of the Dzogchen Buddha Path Sangha Members
Do not accept disrespect – no being deserves to be disrespected. Uphold dignity, respect yourself, treat all beings with respect, and do not allow others to treat you disrespectfully. This fosters mutual understanding and compassion.
Do not disturb the mind – Maintain a patient, calm, and composed mind, ensuring your own mind is not unsettled and helping to prevent others’ minds from becoming disturbed, regardless of external circumstances.
Hold Buddha in the heart – Meditate on the fundamental principles of Ground, Path, and Result Buddha, relying on them as a framework for inner stability, wisdom, and growth.
Meditate on Dharma principles – Remain devoted to practicing Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, especially when facing obstacles or adversity, as these practices provide essential support and guidance on the enlightened path.
Uphold Buddhist vows – Fervently uphold and protect your Buddhist vows—Pratimoksha, Bodhisattva, and Samaya vows—in daily life. Especially in times of challenge, these vows serve as a powerful foundation of protection and direction.
Never let yourself down – Cultivate self-respect and resilience, ensuring that you never degrade yourself in moments of difficulty. When you give up on yourself, no one can help you. When you help yourself, all Buddhas and enlightened beings are able to help you.
Never betray those who have been kind to you – Honor the trust and kindness of those who have supported you, upholding integrity, gratitude, and the deep value of reciprocal care in relationships. Doing so pleases all virtuous deities.
Do not surrender to harmful obstacles – Face obstacles with wisdom, determination, and perseverance. Skillfully clear obstructions and stand firmly in truth, resisting harmful influences and setbacks.
Do not violate laws – Comply with all applicable local and international laws and regulations. Our Dzogchen Buddha Path members must never condone, endorse, or engage in any form of illegal action or harmful activity at any time or place.
Never abandon your Dharma goals – Stay unwaveringly focused on your highest, most beneficial aspirations. Maintain a clear long-term vision aligned with purpose, meaning, and the ultimate fulfillment of enlightenment.
These are the fundamental guiding principles for our members regarding all activities, events, and every aspect of life, ensuring that all actions align with the path of virtue, wisdom, and compassion according to the instructions of our Supreme Guide, Buddha Shakyamuni.
XI. The Importance of Commentaries, Teachings, and Instructions of the Buddhist Masters from Tibet, India, and Particularly of Our Holy Vajra Master
The commentaries, teachings, and instructions of the great Buddhist masters of Tibet and India serve as a vital bridge, opening the understanding, experience, and realization of the profound wisdom contained in the sutra, tantra, and dzogchen teachings of our Supreme Guide Buddha Shakyamuni.
The commentaries, teachings, and instructions of the great Indian masters, known as shastras (of which there are more than 300 large volumes in Tibetan), are excellently adorned with the continuum education and practice lineage of oral transmissions, traditions, culture, and background environment of generations of Indian Buddhist masters. The shastras of the Indian masters are essential for gaining an unmistaken and complete understanding, experience, and realization of the sutras (110 large volumes in Tibetan), tantras (150 large volumes in Tibetan), and Dzogchen (around 70 large volumes in Tibetan)—the entire vast and profound teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni.
Similarly, the commentaries, teachings, and instructions of the great Tibetan masters, known as drelwa (more than 1000 volumes in Tibetan), are excellently endowed with the continuum education and practice lineage of oral transmissions, traditions, culture, and background environment of generations of Tibetan Buddhist masters. The drelwa of the Tibetan masters are essential for correctly and completely understanding, experiencing, and realizing the extensive and comprehensive shastras of the Indian masters.
In short, without the commentaries of these great Tibetan masters, it would be extremely difficult to understand the commentaries, teachings, and instructions of the great Indian masters. Likewise, without the Indian masters’ commentaries, teachings, and instructions, it would be extraordinarily challenging to gain a comprehensive and unmistaken understanding of Buddha’s teachings.
Together, the commentaries, teachings, and instructions of these great Tibetan and Indian masters form an indispensable continuum, ensuring the clarity, preservation, and authenticity of the Dharma teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni across generations throughout the world.
Most importantly for us, the commentaries, teachings, and instructions of our Holy Vajra Master, Dzogchen Khenpo Choga Rinpoche—a living education and practice lineage holder of the great ancient University of Nalanda in India, the renowned institution of Samye Monastery in Central Tibet, and the glorious Dzogchen Shri Singha Five Sciences University in Eastern Tibet—serve as our sacred Dharma bridge. Only through the profound kindness and wisdom of our Holy Vajra Master’s commentaries, teachings, and instructions, we gain a comprehensive understanding of the commentaries of the Tibetan and Indian masters, as well as the entirety of the sutras, tantras, and Dzogchen teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni.
XII. Curriculum and Training Program of the Dzogchen Buddha Path
For nearly 3,000 years, generations of Dzogchen Lineage Masters and disciples have followed in the footsteps of our Supreme Guide, Buddha Shakyamuni, and our revered lineage masters. For those fortunate enough to formally join the Dzogchen Buddha Path Lineage, the journey of practice and learning unfolds through distinct stages of growth, leading to ever-deepening understanding, experience, and realization. By following the systematic guidance and instructions of the great masters who have come before us, the Dzogchen Buddha Path system ensures an authentic and profound progression on the path of Buddha.
The Preliminary Practice Period (First Three Years): Individuals begin by learning about the Three Supreme Jewels, present moment thinking, cultivating the five positive thinking, reducing the five negative thinking, abandoning the ten nonvirtues, and engaging in the ten virtues, among other foundational Buddhist principles.
The Development Practice Period (Second Three Years): Practitioners study the Three Buddhas, the two Bodhicittas, the Four Noble Truths, the Eight Noble Paths, the Seven Jewels of Enlightened Beings, and the Eight Mind Trainings, along with the Thirty-Seven Bodhisattva Conducts.
The Transformation Practice Period (Third Three Years): Practitioners delve deeper, learning about the three fundamental Buddhist vows, the Six Transcendent Perfections, eight qualities of Buddha nature, Tonglen Meditation, the Nine Principles and Thirty-Three Stages of Shamatha Meditation, and the Thirty-Seven Enlightened Paths.
The Enhanced Practice Period (Fourth Three Years): This stage includes profound teachings on the Four Established Tenets of Buddhism, the Nine Yanas, four Guru Yogas, generation and dissolution stage yoga, the Six Bardo Instructions, and the Nine Dzogchen Nyingthig Lineages, among other advanced practices.
The second twelve-year cycle and each cycle thereafter continue to follow the Dzogchen lineage and system, just as generations of lineage masters have done for thousands of years on the Dzogchen Buddha Path.
In this way, Dzogchen Buddha Path practitioners continuously learn, contemplate, meditate, practice, and engage in Dharma actions and activities throughout their entire lives. Every moment of life is regarded as precious enlightenment, every action of mind as sacred Dharma education, every being as our own loving parents, and every part of our world as the pure land of Buddha Shakyamuni.
XIII. Policy and Position of the Dzogchen Buddha Path Organization
The Dzogchen Buddha Path Lineage and system are firmly rooted in timeless Buddhist principles of ethical discipline, wisdom, and compassion. Serving a diverse global community, we do not promote or impose universally applied and/or rigid ideological positions on sensitive or controversial issues.
However, given the increasingly volatile social climate and the rise of litigious actions targeting spiritual communities, we have become aware of a broader risk facing organizations, teachers, and members, and even employees and volunteers. In response, we are actively developing protective systems and ethical safeguards to address these modern challenges, ensure accountability, and preserve the integrity of our sacred work for the present and future generations.
Our policy is clear:
It is the policy of the Dzogchen Buddha Path that all organization leaders, teachers, and members shall avoid making generalized judgements or prejudgements especially regarding serious issues, sensitive issues, controversial issues, consequential issues, and so on, whether related to individuals, groups, institutions, or communities, etc.
Likewise, all organization leaders, teachers, and members shall refrain from making unexamined, biased, prejudiced, or unfair judgements concerning all such matters.
All organization leaders, teachers, and members shall, to the best of their knowledge and capacity, logically analyze and scientifically research all such issues, and thoroughly examine them in accordance with applicable Buddhist principles and relevant local culture and laws, before any decision, statement, judgement, policy, and so on, is declared or implemented.
If any Dzogchen Buddha Path Organization has volunteers or employees, this policy shall also apply to the volunteers and employees.
Basically, all organization members and workers must not form opinions or make statements based on bias, hearsay, ideology, or limited perspective. Instead, all matters and issues of ethical or social importance, etc., should be approached with: rational examination, impartial inquiry, compassionate awareness, philosophical reasoning, scientific evidence, and alignment with relevant Dharma principles, culture, and laws.
In doing so, we uphold the integrity of our lineage and system, the dignity of our organization and members, and the transformative power of the sacred Dharma in conduct and action in all situations.
Our position is clear:
We recognize that different countries, kingdoms, nations, governments, religions, cultures, societies, and communities define and approach controversial or sensitive topics—such as politics, gender, identity, sexuality, relationships, harassment, reproductive rights, appearance, diet, substance use, human rights, legal systems, cultural customs, and historical disputes—in diverse ways, often with their own unique categories, guidelines, standards, rules, regulations, and laws.
Therefore, the Dzogchen Buddha Path Lineage and system stand firmly in the principles of Buddhadharma and do not advocate for or against specific positions, definitions, or ideologies regarding such matters. In light of the vast diversity of worldviews and legal frameworks, we maintain a neutral organizational stance, placing our focus on personal transformation, ethical living, and the ultimate liberation of all beings.
In general, our lineage and system maintain a neutral position or no position whatsoever. We do not universally endorse, condemn, or define these matters beyond the scope of Buddhist ethical principles and wisdom guidance. However, as necessary, our lineage and system offer comprehensive and decisive guidance and instruction to all our organizations and members.
Protocol for Operations and Activities
To ensure respectful, harmonious, and lawful engagement worldwide, the following minimum standards apply to all Dzogchen Buddha Path activities—especially in newly established regions—wherever our organization operates and wherever our Sangha members reside.
1. Safety & Cultural Awareness Committee
A Safety and Cultural Awareness Committee must be formed according to the local system, and if already formed, consulted prior to any project, event, teaching, or activity, etc.
Responsibilities of the Safety and Cultural Awareness Committee include:
● Researching local laws, cultures, religions, customs, sensitivities, and so on.
● Consulting regional professionals or qualified experts.
● Providing guidance and training to leaders, teachers, staff, volunteers, and so on.
● Creating a guiding handbook for respectful, lawful, culturally sensitive conduct, and so on.
2. Legal Compliance and Cultural Respect
In all circumstances, all organizational leaders, members, and representatives shall:
● Vigilantly uphold Dharma vows, virtuous precepts, ethical discipline, and moral conduct.
● Wisely comply with all international, national, and local laws and government policies.
● Skillfully respect local cultures, religions, traditions, and customs with awareness and vigilance.
● Compassionately avoid unsuitable, disrespectful, disturbing, and disruptive behavior and activities.
Ethical Foundation, Conduct, Actions and Activities
Our leaders, teachers, members, and community are guided by the fundamental Buddhist principles of:
ཡེ་ཤེས། Jana – Wisdom that is vast and profound insightful awareness that protects from wrong views and wrong paths
ངེས་འབྱུང་། Naishkramya – Renunciation that actively eliminates own faults of body, speech, and mind through self examination wisdom
སྙིང་རྗེ། Karuna – Compassion that intends to liberate all beings from suffering and the causes and conditions of suffering through discerning wisdom
དད་པ། Shradha – Faith that trusts self-awareness and is devoted to Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha with nonconceptual wisdom
བརྩེ་བ། Maitri – Love that kindly wishes for and seeks peace and happiness for all beings through equanimity wisdom
བྱམས་པ། Mardava – Kindness that heals and soothes the body, speech, and mind of others through skillful wisdom
ཐབས་ཚུལ། Upaya – Skillful means that strategically helps all beings through all forms of activity through accomplishment wisdom
མཐུ་སྟོབས། Shakti – Power that gives rise to mighty miracle strength from well-trained self-confidence wisdom
ཚུལ་ཁྲིམས། Shila – Discipline that upholds the virtuous vows according to the natural law of karma through vigilance wisdom
འཚེ་མེད། Ahimsa – Non-violence that maintains fearless interaction with others without harm through action-ready wisdom
ཕྲིན་ལས། Kriya – Activities that accomplish temporary and ultimate goals by mindfully engaging in various actions and activities through accomplishment wisdom, joining the activities of all Buddhas, enlightened beings, and lineage masters
ལས། Karma – Certainty in the infallible karmic system that continuously provides motivation to eliminate negative thinking and karma and to accumulate positive thinking and karma through engaging body, speech, and mind in Dharma practice and activities to benefit all beings
བྱིན་རླབས། Adhistana – Blessings that transform the body, speech, and mind through practicing renunciation, compassion, faith, love, and wisdom as cause and the wisdom, love, and power of all Buddhas and enlightened beings as condition
དབང་མཆོག། Abhisheka – Empowerment that bestows extraordinary ability to the body, speech, and mind through increasing own renunciation, compassion, faith, love, and wisdom as cause and the wisdom, love, and power of all Buddhas and enlightened beings as condition
དངོས་གྲུབ། Siddhi – Attainments that are granted by the immeasurable wisdom, love, and power of all Buddhas and enlightened beings through perfecting own renunciation, compassion, faith, love, and wisdom as cause
ཤེས་རབ། Prajna – Transcendent knowledge that goes beyond dualistic views and transcends samsara into nirvana
All members are expected to embody these values with deep awareness, unwavering integrity, and wise and compassionate leadership in every situation.
XIV. Official Disclaimer
All organizational branches, affiliated communities, Sangha groups, event committees, and project teams are required to issue a formal liability waiver and/or disclaimer prior to engaging in any activity, service, program, event, or initiative conducted under the auspices of our lineage and organization.
In light of this, and in alignment with our commitment to transparency, the following disclaimer outlines the scope of personal and organizational responsibility.
As a religiously based and ethically principled organization and community, we recognize the profound responsibility we carry in upholding the safety, integrity, and sacred purpose of our lineage, system, community, teachings, and trainings. We are committed to maintaining environments that are reasonably safe, respectful, and supportive for all Sangha members, students, volunteers, employees, and program participants.
However, we also affirm the fundamental principle that all sentient beings possess individual agency and self-determination. Accordingly, each individual bears full and sole responsibility for their own decisions, conduct, and resulting outcomes.
While our lineage and system uphold personal accountability as a core tenet of ethical and spiritual practice, it is imperative to delineate the legal and organizational limits of our responsibility.
Our organization undertakes all reasonable and appropriate measures to safeguard the wellbeing of individuals who engage with our teachings, programs, services, or events. Nonetheless, the organization expressly disclaims any and all legal, ethical, or spiritual liability for the conduct, actions, or omissions of any individual, whether intentional, unintentional, lawful, or unlawful.
This includes but is not limited to:
- Any violation of applicable local, national, or international laws
- Any form of harm, injury, or misconduct, whether physical, emotional, financial, reputational, or psychological
- Any consequence arising from unethical, unlawful, negligent, or harmful behavior
- Any karmic, spiritual, or metaphysical effects resulting from such conduct
We explicitly disclaim responsibility for any actions by individuals that are contrary to or violate applicable laws, our code of conduct, organizational policies, internal procedures, or the ethical and spiritual values of our lineage. We reserve the right to take any appropriate measures, including remedial or protective actions, revocation of participation, and so on, if such conduct is brought to our attention.
By participating in our programs, events, or services, or by engaging with our organization or community in any capacity, individuals acknowledge and accept that they bear full and sole responsibility for their own conduct and its consequences, and agree to adhere to the ethical, legal, and spiritual standards established by our system and organization.
This statement is offered in the spirit of clarity, mutual respect, and the continued protection of the sacred Dharma, as well as all individuals who engage with our lineage, organization, community, programs, services, or events.
XV. Defending our Lineage, Organization, and Sangha
We have the right and responsibility to protect and defend our lineage, system, organization, teachers, sangha, and community. To benefit humanity and all beings, we commit to safeguard, and vow to protect, our pure lineage, system, organization, and Sangha from all dangers. We shall never allow those afflicted by evil jealousy, anger, greed, pride, or ignorance to undermine our integrity, tarnish our reputation, or disrupt our activities. We stand firm against any attempts to misrepresent, distort, or defame our tradition out of personal agendas, hidden motives, or misguided criticism. With unshakable commitment, we will protect the sanctity of our tradition, upholding it as a source of wisdom, compassion, and benefit for all beings.
In our lineage, system, and organization, our members always have the freedom and free will to continue practicing, or to dissociate from the organization, leave the community or lineage, or no longer follow their teacher at any time. No one is ever forced to stay, nor is anyone compelled to follow another.
We have always respected the decision of anyone who chooses to leave our organization, community, or lineage. We do not obstruct, coerce, or pressure individuals to stay. On the contrary, those who leave do so freely, and we wish they find a suitable enlightened path. We have not and will not impose punitive or retaliatory consequences on anyone who chooses to depart or dissociate from the organization, community, or lineage.
Rather than seeing departure as a loss, we feel honored to have provided even a single day of precious Dharma teachings and training for even a single being. Even a brief encounter with the Dharma is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we deeply cherish the chance to share this wisdom with all who seek it.
Likewise, we do not regard departure as severing our Dharma connection. Since all beings auspiciously have Buddha nature, we believe that we are always interdependently connected with each and every being. Thus, we pray for everyone to find qualified Dharma teachers and to continue their journey on the path to enlightenment.
We recognize the extraordinary value of the teachings and training we offer through our system, knowing their profound potential to transform lives, no matter how long someone chooses to engage with our lineage. Our gratitude lies in the ability to benefit any being, in any capacity, at any moment.
However, in accordance with our religious and organizational rights—and to uphold the integrity of our pure Dharma lineage and system, protect the structure of our organization, and maintain Sangha unity and the function of our community—any individual’s decision to leave results in the immediate revocation of any Dharma titles, organizational positions, or any authorizations previously granted by our lineage, system, organization, and committees. Such individuals are no longer authorized to teach Dharma, represent our organization, community, or Sangha, or conduct Dharma practices, ceremonies, events, or other activities under the sacred name of our lineage, system, organization, community, or Sangha. Likewise, they forfeit all rights to use our logos, symbols, texts, copyrighted materials, and other physical and intellectual property.
To make this absolutely clear: once someone has chosen to dissociate from the organization or leave the community or lineage, all titles, positions, rights, resources, and official endorsements from our organization, community, and lineage are automatically relinquished and immediately rendered null and void. This includes the loss of rights to use the names, logos, symbols, copyrighted materials, and physical and intellectual property of the Dzogchen Buddha Path Lineage, organizations, and community. This ensures clarity, accountability, and respect for the sacred system of our lineage and organization.
Those who later wish to return to our lineage or community are welcome to apply, following the prerequisite process and procedures in accordance with Buddhist principles, organizational policies, and Sangha guidelines, completing the stages of necessary practices such as reconciliation, purification, and so on.
These measures are not taken lightly but are essential to safeguarding the purity and authenticity of our sacred lineage and tradition. As custodians of this unbroken Dharma lineage and tradition, it is our solemn responsibility to protect, preserve, and uphold the integrity and authenticity of our pure, uncontaminated Dzogchen Buddha Path Lineage and system at all costs.
Those who safeguard and defend the sacred Dharma system, the revered Dharma teachers, and the precious Sangha generate supreme good karma. The immeasurable merit they accumulate becomes the cause of vajra life, bringing tremendous benefit not only to themselves but to all beings, both now and in the future. Their actions bring immense joy to all enlightened beings and virtuous gods, and please all Buddhas and lineage masters. Future generations will forever be grateful for their courageous deeds, and their heroic legacy will live in the hearts of all virtuous beings, remaining in this world for all time.
By the Bodhisattva Leaders of the Global Dzogchen Buddha Path community along with the International Dharma Education Development Council
